prior to the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior to the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a previous time period before something else occurred. For example: I completed my homework prior to the weekend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

prior to the burial.

The New York Times

prior to the end of the year.

The New York Times

Prior to the present post, Capt.

The New Yorker

These are reviewed prior to the study.

Nature

And you might remember the discussions prior to the vote.

The Guardian

Cooper touched on it prior to the game.

The Guardian - Sport

What was your opinion prior to the discussions?

The New York Times

"So you did judge me prior to the show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Police said Belfour had been drinking prior to the incident.

The New York Times - Sports

Faculty chat prior to the procession ceremony.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

prior to the running fortify.SpatialLinesDataFrame line.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prior to the" to maintain a formal tone, especially in academic, scientific, or professional writing. In casual conversation, "before the" is generally preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "prior to the" in everyday conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly formal where a simpler word like "before" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior to the" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate a temporal relationship. Ludwig's examples show it specifying when an action occurred in relation to another event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior to the" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred before a specific time or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in formal contexts such as news, science, and academia. While effective for maintaining a formal tone, it's often more appropriate to use simpler alternatives like "before the" in casual settings. Understanding its function and appropriate usage helps ensure clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the

This is the simplest and most direct synonym, indicating something happening earlier in time.

previous to the

Emphasizes the order or sequence, highlighting that something comes directly before.

preceding the

Similar to 'previous', but can also imply a cause-and-effect relationship.

in advance of the

Suggests planning or preparation before an event.

earlier than the

Focuses on the relative timing of events.

ahead of the

Implies a leading position in time or sequence.

antidating the

A more formal term indicating something existing at an earlier date.

antecedent to the

Highlights a cause or origin before a subsequent event.

in anticipation of the

Emphasizes expecting or preparing for something that will follow.

preliminary to the

Indicates an introductory step or stage.

FAQs

How can I use "prior to the" in a sentence?

Use "prior to the" to indicate that something happened or existed before a specific time or event. For instance, "All data was collected "before the" experiment began".

What's a simpler alternative to "prior to the"?

A simpler alternative to "prior to the" is "before the". It serves the same purpose but is less formal.

Is "prior to the" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "prior to the" is more suitable for formal or professional writing. In casual contexts, "before the" is often a better choice.

How does "prior to the" differ from "after the"?

"Prior to the" indicates something that happens or exists earlier in time, while "after the" refers to something that happens or exists later in time. They are opposites in terms of time sequence.